.case of the blahs. Madison Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

I recently have been feeling kinda blah about the weather.  I'm craving sun, even if I am only able to look at it from my office window.  The drabs of these cloudy days are not energizing to me at all.  I however found these two pictures from last summer and am reminded that some pretty cool shots can come from the clouds.
The top image was taken last summer during a CRAZY storm we had when Will and I were in our first  ever apartment.  A crazy time for us.  He encouraged me to grab for the camera during this lightning show even though I am not so fond of any kind of lighting viewing that isn't from inside and behind glass!  (If you ever want to know why, just ask!  A tale of what and what not to do at Alpine Valley, or any event outside!)
The bottom image was taken at my parents lake house one early morning when I was out with the dog. I had never seen clouds like that before.  They made the weirdest shapes and were super low to the ground.  I love all the colors in this shot and the lone loon chilling in the distance.
I hope this finds you all doing well on this rainy Wednesday and encourages you to find something in all the clouds these days.  All the best,  Em

.stella & ruby. Cable, WI Madison photography

Every year I donate an animal photo session for the amazing Northwoods Humane Society for their Cause Fore Paws event.  Stella and Ruby were the lucky winners of this live auction item.  What a lovely afternoon we had with the two puppies at their lake home.  Thank you Stella and Ruby.  You are such good puppies!

something to think about ...

Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.

45 minutes:
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments .....


How many other things are we missing?

Halloween part 2

I had a spoooktacular time celebrating Halloween with my friends and their kids last week. What great costumes and games. The kids played pumpkin bowling, bobbing for apples, and smashing a pinata! Wahooooo! Thanks for the fun. Many more pictures on the way that will be posted on Pictages.com soon.

pat & erv's 50th anniversary

What an inspiration to all couples! 50 years of marriage!!! Way to go Pat & Erv, I am well impressed by the love and spirit the two of you have for each other, your family, and friends. There was no shortage of laughter or love at your party. Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebration day. Cheers to many more years together! Em

granger family custom designed book

Here is the custom designed album I put together for the Granger's from their family trip to Hawaii. What an awesome experience. Thank you again for including me in on all the fun. You guys are the best!

Please visit the follow website to view our newest Story Book Album:
You will be asked for an email and password. Please insert this information,

email: em.reicherttorhorst@yahoo.com
password: guest

Cut and paste the link below, this will allow you to see the designed album.

http://www.pictage.com/photoalbum/PAA/composite.xml?album_id=38530&producer=album&xsl=%2Fxsl%2Falbum%2Falbum_designer_slideshow.xsl&xsl=none&xsl=none&xsl=none&jsessionid=3884952AE4FB64B2D8C7281A897F328F&template=yes&event=EVV1%3A295437&composite_action=list_images&composite_action=get_album_properties&composite_action=get_album&composite_action=get_border_categories&composite_action=get_studio_info

pilates place morphs into adventure 212 place!

The coolest thing to happen in Stevens Point (besides M photography) ...

"212 Place" breaks ground!!!


This may just look like rocks and dirt now, but come this summer it will be the hottest place to be a part of in the area. John Joanis Drive, within the business park north of Kohl's, will house the the best gym in the mid west, Adventure 212, and the best place to eat and buy pre-made meals, Bistro 212.


Get ready Stevens Point ... big things are happening here!
Andria Davisson (owner of the Pilates Place) and Michelle Peariso are the genius minds behind this amazing idea. They are combining everything in one place so we can jump start our bodies to health.
Now you are thinking, "boring ... I hate working out ... and by the way, healthy food tastes like dirt!" Well get ready to be proven wrong. The things that 212 place will have are going to be things you have never thought were possible in a healthy atmosphere. FUN and GOOD FOOD!!!

Here Andria demo's one of the new fitness bikes. You pedal along to a biking video game while you watch your guy ride the terrain on the video screen in front of you. Pretty cool! A great way to play a fun game as well as get off the couch and get your feet moving!


Along the fitness Le Cordon Blue Chef Lydia Walthers is bringing us Bistro 212. On the day of the ground breaking Lydia served lunch ... and I have to say it was the best lunch I have had in a long time. Plus it was healthy for me.


After I had a brownie (again, that was good for you) I believe my mouth actually had a mouthgasm! I highly recommend this place! Lydia truly knows what she is doing in the kitchen! I can't wait to experience her creative and amazing food on a weekly bases this summer.
212 Place plans to open it's doors this summer. For more information please call 715.343.0212
Pre sales start mid-April.
To get things started before 212 opens, get involved at Andrea's current business, "The Pilates Place." http://www.thepilatesplace.org/ 715.343.5848
Thanks for doing this in our community. You are doing an amazing thing here and I can't wait to be involved. Cheers to getting our butts moving!

sweetheart dance '07

The Central Wisconsin Children's Museum held their annual family sweetheart dance this last weekend. I was honored to be able to volunteer this year for this incredible event as their photographer. What a great place for parents to take their kids for a little food, fun, crafts, fun games, and of course dancing. Not only did they have a great d.j. getting everyone in the mood on the dance floor (Jesse Schultz from "Entertainment at Last") but the Point Dance Ensemble did a short performance from Alice in Wonderland. The kids were mesmerized by the characters. They wouldn't take their eyes off them!
Here are some pictures of the evening. Thanks again for letting me be a part of the evening.
It was great seeing everyone celebrating their sweethearts!!!
To view all the pictures from the event go to www.pictage.com All proceeds will go to the museum.
Happy Valentine's week,
Em

All the fun can really wear a girl out!